Magistrate gives Jonathan Watson 60 days to obtain permits for unpermitted addition

The Special Magistrate ordered property owner Jonathan Watson to obtain required permits and come into compliance within 60 days after county staff presented photos and a notice of violation for work done at 2505 Southeast 35th Street in Gainesville (parcel 16205-004-001). Code officer Michael Williams told the magistrate the county received a complaint from building official Dan Gargas and recommended a $100-per-day fine if the violation persists; the county had incurred $280 in prosecution costs.

Watson, appearing by Zoom, said he "just wanna make it right" and that he has contacted a contractor to assess the back addition. Building official Dan Gargas told the hearing, "60 days should be an adequate amount of time for them to go ahead and apply for obtain permits and complete the work." The magistrate said that 60 days would be included in the written order and closed the matter for now.